Oh my this place is spectacular and like no place else on earth!

We have splurged on the world famous Esbelli Evi and are sooo glad that we have as a 5th century cave has never felt so luxurious. Mozart is jumping around for joy and luckily the caves and stone are so sound proof, she can do just that.

The 10th century cave church frescoes and purple,amber and rose moon like landscape are mind blowing as are the 4000 year old underground cities built by ancient Christians.

We spent our first two nights in Goreme at the Local Cave House which was great if not as luxurious.

The food in Turkey and hospitality has been awesome. The beauty,history and prices are fantastic. It makes me wonder why everyone is not here.There are more Greek and Roman ruins in Turkey than there are in Greece or Italy!

This is definitely a place to put on the " must see" list!!

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There are more Greek and Roman ruins in Turkey than there are in Greece or Italy!

That precisely is the best kept secret about Turkey.
My envy continues to follow you whenever you go.

P.S. Is Mozart the name of your dog or your husband or your son?

Gee, I hope I did not give the secret away. Someone told me that the NYT had 6 recent articles on how great Turkey is, so I suppose I am not telling anything new.

Our Turkey "leg" has been a real "delight" ...puns intended. I am surprised that it is so European as I was expecting it to be more exotic like Morocco.

It is really a beautiful country and we ( of course) are spending more time than expected. We loved our gulet cruise ( which is another "must do"...altho next time I would splurge on a private one as it is too delicious to share even with just 8 cabins).

Cappadocia has really grabbed our hearts. We met a British man from London ( retired bobby) who is renting a stone house for 140 ytl a month for the last year and loving it!

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P.S. Is Mozart the name of your dog or your husband or your son?

Ha ha! Good question. You will see on our blog that we all take nicknames of our heroes and Mozart is the nickname of my 6 year old daughter as she plays the violin and piano and loves music.

Thanks for the reminder that I must be more clear on who I am talking about as I often dash these things out to quickly.

They surprised us and upgraded us to a huge suite where she has her own cave bedroom and refrigerator which was the "cats meow" for her! They really do treat you like family here and we have not had this much space since Spain.

It is her favorite hotel so far and the child has good taste as it is listed as one of the worlds best boutique hotel in many guides and sets the standard for cave houses in Cappadocia.

I am just thrilled that we got to experience it as Cappadocia is well off the beaten path ( so was sometimes on the possible cut off list).... but oh so worth the effort.

There are also some gorgeous places that the French like here, so no shortage of wonderful places to stay or eat. It is early high season here and not crowded at all.

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http://choppingedge.com/quorum

WOW!! Is that you? I could not get to that exact site, but I did get to the choppingedge one and was VERY impressed.

My husband adores Jazz and it is funny as this place is the first good Jazz he has heard in a long time as the owner has a great collection.


( Meanwhile I have been thinking you were a woman for some reason. Don't worry, someone else thought I was a man. )

I AM a woman!
The website is my husband's. I don't have one myself.
In fact is that a violation of ST signature rules? Dunno. I just think STs will enjoy his articles and his jazz pieces.

Well, I am glad I was correct.

I have no idea what the policy is but if it is a problem, I am sure you will hear. I love both his sites and I bet lots of others will too, so I hope it is cool. I don't see why it wouldn't be.

Have you been to Cappadocia?

WT, we stayed at Esbelli Evi 7 years ago and loved it. Please tell Suha that Ann and Paul, the couple from Hawaii who sent him a Miles Davis CD, remember him with much fondness and send him a warm aloha. Have a wonderful trip.
PS Consider taking a hot air balloon ride - it was magnificent. If you're interested, the safest and best company is Kapadokya Balloons.

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Have you been to Cappadocia?

I have been to Istanbul but missed Capadocia. I was once supposed to work there - on a Jackie Chan movie ! - but had to back out at the last minute because of illness. Just shoot me.

Wow...Jackie Chan movie in Cappadocia...you are full of interesting surprises! ( I use to be in the film business myself).

Don't miss your next opportunity and keep this "home" in mind ( altho most of the best sights are near Goreme). We will be reluctant to leave.

Konya, Friday, 9 AM

Off for Catelhoyuk then Sultannani. May make Cappa tonight, if not than noon Sat. will look you up in the cave hotel.

Tom and Judy

Sounds good Tom...we will be here basking in all the beauty and attention.



Ann,

I did mention you to Suha this morning at our scrumptious breakfast and he does remember you! He still has the CD! We have decided to add at least one extra day to our stay here as time is passing too quickly.


I think Goreme and Urchir are prettier areas, so glad we stayed there first, but this "home" is enjoyable just for the experience,authentic beauty and high level of service.

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4000 year old underground cities built by ancient Christians.

To clarify, they think it was the Hittites that may have built them first and the Christians came along later around the 7th century I think.

Whole cities would live in them for six months at a time underground and they were amazingly complex, huge and sophisticated.

Thanks, WT - Suha is just about the best host ever, and one of the kindest men I've ever known. Is he still going to Florence frequently?
We were told that those cities were occupied for up to a year at a time - weren't the ventilation systems amazing?
Thanks again for giving Suha our message.

We love Turkey, but this sounds sooo amazing!